Method and device for learning a language

ABSTRACT

A teaching aid for reinforcing a student&#39;s ability to learn an unfamiliar language includes an upper sheet (12) marked with symbolic indicia to be taught to the student and one or more base sheets (11), each marked with a different translated version of the indicia on the upper sheet. The indicia on each base sheet are marked in registry with the corresponding indicia on the upper sheet. One edge of the base sheet is joined, temporarily or permanently, to a corresponding edge of the upper sheet to allow the upper sheet to be lifted up from the base sheet to briefly expose a corresponding translation, transliteration, interpretation, or paraphrase marked on the base sheet then lowered again so that reading of the upper sheet can be instantly resumed. The upper sheet and the base sheet may be parts of a single sheet having a fold line at the joined edges. The upper and base sheets may be joined at any corresponding edges, but the top edges are preferred for sheets having lengths greater than their widths. The teaching aid is used by reading the text on the upper sheet and by rapidly raising and lowering, or scrolling, the upper sheet to briefly check the corresponding text on the base sheet when necessary.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part (via bridging PCT InternationalApplication PCT/US85/02347 filed Nov. 26, 1985) of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 06/676,824 filed Nov. 30, 1984 and now abandoned.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a method and device for learning themeaning of symbolic indicia (e.g., words of a foreign language), and itparticularly relates to a learning aid containing corresponding sets ofindicia, one translating, transliterating, interpreting, or paraphrasingthe other, and to a method for using the learning aid.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

In teaching a foreign language, and particularly for building avocabulary, it is a common practice to use learning aids that matchwords or phrases in the foreign language with their counterparts in astudent's native language. Most often used are simple cards having theforeign word or phrase written on one side and its translation writtenon the other side. It is also common to use parallel lists, either on asingle sheet or on separate sheets. The list in the known language isusually covered while the words in the foreign language are studied.When unsure of the meaning of a word in the foreign language list, thestudent will briefly uncover the adjacent list in the known language tocompare the foreign word with the known word.

For more advanced students, the parallel list concept has been expandedto complete books, in which the text is printed in one language inalternate columns or on alternate pages, for example on theeven-numbered pages, and a translation of this text is printed inadjacent columns or on the alternate facing pages, for example on theodd-numbered pages. The translated text is positioned substantiallyopposite to the text in the first language, so that the counterpartwords and phrases can be found by looking across from one column to theadjacent column or from one page to the opposite facing page.

Whether used for lists of characters, discrete words and phrases or forcontinuous coherent text, such as a story, the side by side arrangementdescribed above requires the reader to shift focus laterally from onecolumn or page to an adjacent column or page to check the meaning ofwords he does not know or has forgotten. The shifting of visualattention is a distraction, particularly when reading coherent text, sothat much of the potential reinforcement to be obtained from the use ofa duplicate text format is unrealized when using the side by sidearrangement.

When presented with the side-by-side translation, the student will,after trying to comprehend the foreign-language text, inevitably come torest his eyes on the version he is most familiar with, i.e., thetranslation. The side-by-side layout distracts the student from hisinitial intent which is to comprehend or study the foreign-languagetext.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a learningaid comprising corresponding texts, one translating, transliterating, orparaphrasing the other, and a method of using the learning aid thattakes advantage of persistence of vision to achieve better comprehensionand quicker leaning than is possible with prior art learning aids, andwith minimum visual effort and clutter, thereby permitting the reader toconcentrate on the learning process.

This and other objects are obtained by means of a teaching aid forreinforcing a student's ability to learn the meaning of symbolicindicia. The teaching aid comprises:

a flexible upper sheet having a peripheral edge, having legible symbolicindicia marked thereon in a predetermined format;

a base sheet having marked thereon corresponding legible symbolicindicia comprising a translation of the symbolic indicia marked on theupper sheet and in substantially exact registry with the correspondingindicia on the upper sheet; and

means for joining a portion of the edge of the upper sheet to acorresponding portion of the edge of the base sheet so that the indiciaon the upper sheet are superposed above the corresponding indicia on thebase sheet, whereby lifting the upper sheet away from the base sheetwill reveal the translation marked on the base sheet, with correspondingindicia of the upper and base sheets in substantially the same position.

The means for joining a portion of the edge of the top sheet to thecorresponding portion of the edge of the base sheet preferably comprisesa temporary binding means such as an elongated channel-shaped plasticbinding clamp removably attached to corresponding straight edges of thetwo sheets. Although for most applications the sheets are preferablyattached along a top portion of the edge of each sheet, the sheets maybe attached on any corresponding edge portions when it is desireable todo so because of either the shape of the sheets, the arrangement ofindicia upon the sheets, or other reasons. A temporary binding meanspermits a student to reverse the order of the sheets for self testing.Alternatively, single or multiple pairs of sheets can be permanently orsemi-permanently bound by staples, spiral wires, ring binders, or thelike.

The teaching aid may further include means to facilitate lifting theupper sheet, this means extending outwardly from the edge of the uppersheet at a location spaced from the attached portion. For example, astiff rodlike member can be attached along a straight edge of arectangular upper sheet opposite to an edge portion joined to the basesheet, the rod having opposite ends extending outwardly beyond adjacentside edges of the upper sheet. This rod-like member can conveniently beanother channel-shaped plastic binding clamp like the clamp used to jointhe edge portion of the two sheets.

The teaching aid may further comprise a plurality of superposed basesheets marked with different sets of corresponding indicia such that thestudent will have readily available any predetermined combination oftranslations, transliterations, interpretations, descriptions and sheetsor removable flaps for written exercises. The plurality of base sheetsalso are arranged so that the indicia on each sheet are in substantialregistry with the corresponding indicia on the upper sheet which theytranslate, transliterate, interpret or describe, so that the studentwill not have to move his eyes or change his focus.

The teaching aid may also include means which provide space for writtenexercises in the form of a blank sheet or removable adhesive opaque flapcovering a certain text portion or character. The student tries to fillin the missing portion of text or character from memory. When unsure ofthe correct answer, he can lift the flap for a split second and glanceat the text to refresh his memory, then let it fall back in order tofill in the correct answer. The flaps must be opaque so as to preventtracing which is done without appying thought and does not contribute tothe learning process. The opaque flap can be reused on another textportion if the hand-written entries can be erased. For this purpose, aslate-like or plasticized surface material of the flap is recommended.

The teaching aid with a plurality of base sheets may further includemeans to facilitate the lifting of each sheet above the lowermost basesheet, this means extending outwardly from the edge of the respectivebase sheet. This means can conveniently be plastic tabs which eitheradhere or clip to the edge of the sheet to which they are attached. Theplastic tabs may further contain a word, words, or marking whichidentifies the type of indicia which are marked upon the sheet placedimmediately below the sheet to which the tab is attached. These tabs arepreferably offset so that with the teaching aid laid face up upon a flatsurface all of the plastic tabs and their markings will be legible andvisible to the student.

The invention also includes a method for using the learning aiddescribed above, the method comprising rapidly lifting the upper sheetwhile focusing on specific indicia thereon to expose the correspondingindicia on the base sheet whenever the reader desires to refresh hisunderstanding of the meaning of the indicia.

Preferably, the upper sheet and the base sheet are rectangular and arejoined at their top edges, and the bottom edge of the upper sheet israpidly lifted and lowered while keeping the eyes focused on a specificportion of the assembly to view alternately the indicia on the uppersheet and the corresponding indicia on the base sheet. The same methodcan be used as a self test when the upper sheet carries familiar indiciaand the base sheet is imprinted with the corresponding indicia beinglearned.

If the sheets are bound at the top and the length of the upper sheet issubstantially greater than the width, a preferred method of lifting andlowering the upper sheet is to curl the bottom edge of the upper sheetupward and toward the top edge and then to translate the bottom edge ofthe upper sheet parallel to itself and to the plane of the base sheet ina reciprocating to-and-fro scrolling motion. Since the two sets ofindicia are substantially in registry, the indicia on the upper sheetwill tend to merge with the corresponding indicia on the base sheet dueto the persistance of vision.

The result is a unique learning experience that appears to significantlyimprove a student's comprehension of the materials being studied. "

The above and other objects and features of the invention will becomemore clearly apparent from the following description of the preferredembodiments, taken in conjunction with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a teaching aid according to theinvention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled teaching aid of FIG. 1showing a method of scrolling the top sheet.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a teachingaid according to the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of ateaching aid according to the invention, in which a plurality ofsuccessive upper and base sheets are spiral bound along their top edges.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a teachingaid according to the invention in the form of a spiral bound book havingindividual pages consisting of an upper sheet folded over a base sheet.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 showing anupper sheet raised to reveal corresponding text on the base sheet.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of a teachingaid according to the invention in the form of a permanently bound book.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 showing a pagelifted to reveal the corresponding texts on alternate following andpreceding pages.

FIG. 9 is a perspective exploded view of an alternate embodiment of ateaching aid according to the invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the assembled teaching aid of FIG. 9showing a method of scrolling several sheets.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are perspective views of further embodiments of ateaching aid according to the invention which use adhesive fold-up tabsfor practice in writing selected characters or groups of characters.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative arrangement of ateaching aid according to the invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 13 showing a topsheet scrolled away from a base sheet.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to FIG. 1, a teaching aid 10 for assisting a student tolearn the meaning of predetermined sets of indicia as shown with thefour elements of the aid disassembled. These elements include a basesheet 11 and a flexible upper sheet 12. The base sheet 11 has a top edge13, opposite side edges 14 and 15, and a bottom edge 16. The top sheetsimilarly has a top edge 17, two opposite side edges 18 and 19, and abottom edge 20.

The upper sheet 12 has a predetermined format of indicia, for example atext of an unfamiliar language being taught to the student, printed orotherwise marked thereon. This text may be in continuous coherent form,or it may be in the form of discrete words, phrases, or characters.

The base sheet 11 has indicia, which are substantially equivalent inmeaning to those on the upper sheet, marked thereon and arranged in thesame format as the indicia marked on the upper sheet. The text on thebase sheet should be as nearly in registry with the corresponding texton the upper sheet as is possible within the constraints of differencesin syntax, grammer, direction of reading and length between the textmarked on the upper sheet and the text marked on the base sheet.Although the text marked on the upper sheet typically will be in alanguage being taught to the student, the order of the sheets can bereversed if the student desires to self test his or her ability totranslate the familiar text into the unfamiliar language.

Usually the upper sheet and base sheet will be the same size and shape,but this is not essential. In some cases it will be desirable to havethe two sheets of different sizes, as will be explained in more detailbelow. Also, the proportion between length and width of the sheets mayvary, as desired and depending on the format of the textual material.The important requirement is that the text on the base sheet besubstantially in registry with the text on the upper sheet. Furthermore,it is a matter of convenience as to which edge of each sheet is joinedto the other. It has been found, however, that for most configurationsit is preferred to join the upper and base sheets at their top edges,particularly if the sheets are relatively large.

If possible it is desirable to include nontextual elements on eachsheets, such as pictorial elements 21. These nontextual elements shouldbe identical on each sheet and should be located in exact registry onthe two sheets.

It may be desirable also to color code the materials, particularly if itis not possible to arrange the materials on one sheet in exact registrywith those on the other, so that the student can easily match thecorresponding words or phrases, and so that the interruption to hisconcentration is minimal. This color coding can be accomplished byprinting or marking the words or phrases on one sheet in the same coloras the corresponding words or phrases on the other sheet, but each wordor phrase should be printed in a color different from the colors used toprint or mark the words or phrases surrounding the particular word orphrase. An alternative embodiment is to underline the words or phraseson one sheet using the same color as the color used to underline thecorresponding words or phrases on the other sheet, but each word orphrase should be underlined using a color different from the colors usedto underline the words or phrases surrounding the particular character,word or phrase.

A further embodiment of color coding is to superpose several identicalversions of a text containing symbolic indicia, where the first basesheet shows certain parts of speech, e.g., all verbs appearing on thesheet, outlined in one color. The second base sheet shows other parts ofspeech, e.g., all pronouns appearing in the sheet, outlined in anothercolor, and so on. Teaching syntactical or grammatical structures usingthis form or color separation is conducive to study, for it does notclutter the field of view of the student.

A means such as a plastic binder clamp 22 is provided for joining thetop edges 13 and 17 of the base and upper sheets, respectively. Inaddition, a similar plastic binder clamp 23, having a length greaterthan the length of the bottom edge 20 of the upper sheet, also may beprovided as a means to facilitate lifting the upper sheet away from thebase sheet.

FIG. 2 shows the components of the learning aid of FIG. 1 in assembledcondition. The plastic binder clamp 22, which is a commerciallyavailable item, is channel shaped, with the sides of the channel angledinward so that their free edges abut each other. The base sheet and theupper sheet are assembled together by aligning the top edges of the twosheets and sliding the binder clamp 22 onto both top edges. In the samemanner the binding clamp 23 is slid onto the bottom edge of the uppersheet only and is centered so that its opposite ends extend beyond theopposite side edges of the upper sheet.

To use the assembled teaching aid, a student will place the two sheetson a flat surface, such as a table, at a convenient position for readingthe text on the upper sheet. If the student comes to a word or a phraseabout which he is uncertain, he will grasp the opposite ends of themember 23 between the thumb and forefinger of each hand. He will thenrapidly raise the upper sheet away from the base sheet while keeping hiseyes focused on the portion of the text that he does not know. The uppersheet is briefly raised to expose the corresponding portion of the texton the base sheet, and then it is lowered again. This procedure may berepeated rapidly several times. Due to the persistence of vision, thewords in the unfamiliar language of the upper sheet will appear to mergewith the corresponding words in the familiar language on the base sheet.This apparent merging not only informs the student of the meaning of theforeign language word or phrase, but also apparently conveys this mergedvisual impression to the student's memory so that the two words orphrases apparently become linked together in his mind.

As indicated in FIG. 2, a convenient method for raising and lowering theupper sheet, particularly if its length is greater than its width, is toturn the member 23 between the fingers so that the bottom edge of theuper sheet tends to curl up and over toward the top edge. After thebottom edge has been curled over, the member 23 is reciprocatinglytranslated in a direction perpendicular to its length and parallel tothe base sheet as shown by the double ended arrow 14. This movementcauses the upper sheet to scroll up and down over the base sheet. With alittle practice this scrolling movement is accomplished very easily andwith minimum disturbance to the student's concentration on reading thetext.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the learning aid in which abase sheet 25 and an upper sheet 26 are joined at their respective topedges by a row of staples 27. Means are provided for lifting the bottomedge of the top sheet away from the base sheet. These means are in theform of a stiff elongated member 28, which can be made of cardboard,wood, plastic, or any other suitable material. The member 28 can befastened to the bottom edge of the upper sheet by any suitable means,such as glue or staples. The length of member 28 is greater than thelength of the bottom edge of the upper sheet so that end portions 29 and30 extend beyond the side edges of the upper sheet. The mode ofoperation of the embodiment of FIG. 3 is the same as described above forFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows an alternative arrangement that is particularly suitablefor permanently binding a large number of successive upper and basesheet pairs by means of a conventional spiral binding 31 joining the topedges 32 of pages 33 to form a book 34. In this embodiment the textformat 35 results in sheets having longer top and bottom edges 32, 36than side edges 37, 38.

In its simplest form, the invention can be embodied in a single sheetfolded in half, one half of the single sheet being marked with text in afirst language and the other half of the single sheet being marked onthe other side thereof with a corresponding text in a second languageand the two texts being congruent when the single sheet is folded. Thissimplest embodiment has the additional advantage that folding the sheetin one way will present the second language text superposed on the firstlanguage text, while reversing the fold will present the first languagetext superposed on the second language text.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an alternative book style embodiment 40 in which theindividual pages comprise base sheets 41 having left side 42 that arebound together by a spiral binding 43. To the top edge 44 of each basesheet is joined the corresponding top edge of an upper sheet 45. Thejoining means may be strip of adhesive tape 46, or the upper and lowersheets may be formed from a single sheet that is folded along the topedge 44.

The width of each upper sheet 45 is less than the width of its basesheet 41 so that the left edge 46 of each upper sheet does not touch thespiral binding when the upper sheet is folded down over the base sheet,as shown in FIG. 5. Also in this embodiment, the right side edge 47 andthe bottom edge 48 of the upper sheet 45 are within the respectivemargins of the right side edge 49 and the bottom edge 50 of the basesheet 41. That is, the width and length dimensions of the upper sheetsare smaller than the corresponding dimensions of the base sheet. Thisdifference in size makes it easy to separate the lower right corner ofthe upper sheet from the base sheet, so that the upper sheet can belifted away from the base sheet, as shown in FIG. 6, without the needfor any additional means, such as the stiff members 23 and 29 shown inthe embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 3, respectively.

If desired, however, the right and bottom edges of the upper sheet canbe made congruent with the corresponding edges of the base sheet. Forease of handling during printing, the upper and base sheets may startinitially as a single rectangular double-length sheet. After beingprinted on the lower half of one side with the desired text in onelanguage and on the half of the opposite end of the reverse side withthe corresponding text in the other language, the initial sheet can bethen folded in half to form an upper sheet printed in the one languagesuperposed over a base sheet printed in the other language. The uppersheet can be trimmed to smaller dimensions before folding, or the sheetcan be left untrimemd and a left margin piece attached to the left edgeof the base sheet for receiving the spiral binding.

FIGS. 5 and 6 also illustrate, by a simple example, the manner in whicha French text 51 is imprinted on the upper sheet 45 so as to be inregistry with an English translation 52 imprinted on the base sheet. Inthis example, the English translation is word for word, with each wordof the translation being positioned immediately underneath thecorresponding word of the French text when the two sheets aresuperposed. In some learning situations, particularly with more advancedstudents, a more colloquial translation may be used, so that the wordsdo not identically correspond in meaning and location. Even in suchsituations it has been found that the method of the present inventionprovides significant learning enhancement. In fact, the persistence ofvision effect can be used to comprheend and memorize equivalent phrasesand expressions as well as single characters or words.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the application of the presentinvention to a standard book format, for example a novel or other workof literature, is illustrated.

FIG. 7 shows a book opened to reveal a left-hand page 56 printed in onelanguage and a right-hand page 57 printed in another language. As isapparent from the placement of illustrations and text, the materialimprinted on the left-hand page 56 does not correspond to the materialimprinted on the right-hand page 57.

FIG. 8 shows the same book 55 with the sheet bearing the right-hand page57 lifted up to show a following left-hand page 58 and a right-hand page59. A comparison of FIGS. 7 and 8 makes it clear that the text onleft-hand page 58 corresponds in format to the text on left-hand page56, whereas the text on right-hand page 59 corresponds in format to thetext on right-hand page 57. Pages 56 and 59 are imprinted in a firstlanguage, and pages 57 and 58 are imprinted in a second language. Thuspage 59 is a base sheet and page 57 is a corresponding upper sheet,while page 58 is an upper sheet, the text of which follows the text ofpage 57, and page 56 is its corresponding base sheet.

The first language will normally be the native language of a student,and the second language will be one that the student is learning. Toread the book 55 in the second language, the student will read aright-hand page and then the following left-hand page, for example,pages numbered 1 and 2, in each case lifting the sheet as necessary tocheck the corresponding translated text on the sheet beneath the sheethe is reading. After finishing the left-hand page (e.g., page number 2)the student will then turn the following sheet and start reading thesubsequent right hand page (e.g., page number 5) and continue to thenext left-hand page (e.g., page number 6). By skipping alternate sheets,which are printed in the first language, the student will be able toread continuous text in the second language while always being able tocheck the meaning by lifting the page that he or she is reading to seethe in-registry corresponding text in the first language.

The foregoing discussion of the invention has focused on its use tocompare corresponding texts in an unfamiliar language and a nativelanguage. The inventive concept has much broader application, however,since it basically provides a method and a means for learning orreinforcing the relation between two or more superposed sets ofcorresponding markings or indicia. For example, the invention can beused:

to teach the upper and lower cases of an alphabet by providing bothupper and lower case versions of a prepared text on the two sheetsrespectively;

to teach the proper pronunciation of a language by providing aphonetization of the upper sheet of text upon the base sheet;

to teach the printed and script versions of an alphabet by providingboth printed and script versions of a prepared text on the two sheetsrespectively;

to teach unfamiliar alphabets (e.g, Cyrillic or Greek) or characters(Chinese ideograms, Japanese syllabaries, etc.) by providing anidentical text in a familiar alphabet (e.g., Roman);

to teach the unvocalized version of a language which is written withoutvowel signs in ordinary usage (e.g., Hebrew, Arabic, or Farsee) byproviding a text without vowel signs on one sheet and the correspondingtext with vowel signs on the other;

to provide the student with information and greater detail by providinga base sheet containing footnotes which may include grammar, syntax,etymology, historical references or general references;

to faciliatte the student's comprehension of linguistically difficultnative-language texts, e.g., pre-modern English or elliptical writings,by providing an easy-to-read version; in this manner, the clarifyingversion is discretely tucked under the principal text, the latterappearing clear and clutter-free on the top layer; and

to provide space for written exercises by means of a separate sheet oradhesive opaque flap covering temporarily certain characters or portionsof text; in this manner, the student can fill in the missing characteror text portion.

Furthermore, a native or foreign language can be taught to youngchildren by providing the language to be taught on the top sheet andpictures which illustrate the words or phrases to the student on thebase sheet or vice versa.

With reference to FIG. 9, a multiple base sheet version of a teachingaid 60 is shown with the elements of the aid disassembled. Theseelements include a flexible uppermost sheet 61 and multiple base sheets62. The uppermost sheet 61 has a top edge 63, opposite side edges 64 and65, and a bottom edge 66. The multiple base sheets similarly have topedges 67, opposite side edges 68 and 69, and bottom edges 70.

As in the two-sheet teaching aid disclosed above, the uppermost sheet 61and the base sheets 62 will usually be the same size and shape but,again, this is not essential. Each sheet can be of a different size orshape if this is desirable for a particular application of theinvention. Any common edge of the sheets may be joined in order to makethe teaching aid. Although for most configurations it is preferable toattach the sheets at their upper edge, there are applications in whichit is preferable to attach the sheets on one side edge or the other,e.g., where a language which reads from right to left is beingtranslated into a language which reads from left to right, or viceversa.

As before, the uppermost sheet 61 has a predetermined text either incontinuous coherent form or in the form of discrete characters, words orphrases. Each of the several base sheets 62 has a different version ofthe text in substantial registry with the format of the upper sheet. Theseveral base sheet versions can include translations, for example, intoone or more languages, into a different alphabet, into different modesof the same alphabet (e.g., upper case, lower case, script), into avocalized version of an unvocalized upper sheet text, into aphonetically spelled version, and so forth. The various versions on theseveral base sheets will each be defined generically as a "translation"of the text on the upper sheet, whether the version is a rendering in adifferent language, a transliteration into a different alphabet or othercorresponding symbols, a paraphrase, an interpretation or explanation,or a footnote.

As mentioned before, it is desirable to include common nontextualelements on each sheet if possible, such as pictorial elements 71 ormarkings such as indentation, etc. These nontextual elements should beidentical on each sheet and should be located in exact registry on theseveral sheets to provide landmarks for easy location of the desiredindicia.

A means, such as a plastic binder clamp 72, is provided for joining thedesired edges of the uppermost and base sheets. In addition, plastictabs 73 may be provided to facilitate lifting the uppermost and anyintermediate base sheets away from a desired base sheet beneath them.Each tab may be marked with a word or figure which identifies thetranslations, pictures or descriptions which are printed or otherwisemarked on the sheet resting immediately below the sheet to which theindividual tab is attached.

FIG. 10 shows the components of the learning aid of FIG. 9 in assembledcondition. Each plastic tab is marked with a word, phrase or picturewhich identifies the explanations, translations, pictures ordescriptions contained on the sheet which has been placed immediatelybelow the sheet to which the plastic tab is attached. The tabs may beattached to the side edges, 64 and 68 or 65 and 69, or to the bottomedges 66 and 70.

To use the assembled teaching aid 60, a student will grasp the plastictab corresponding to the particular type of translation he desires andwill then rapidly raise the tabbed sheet and all sheets above it awayfrom the sheet upon which the desired explanatory material is marked,while keeping his eyes focused on the portion of the text on the uppersheet that he wants clarified, just as with the two-sheet versionpreviously explained. The intermediate base sheets above the lowermostsheet are flexible so that they can be rapidly raised and lowered.

As indicated above, the multiple base sheet embodiment of FIGS. 9 and 10can be used in the same way as the single base sheet version, but themultiple sheet version provides the capability of having severaldifferent types of recognition reinforcement in a single teaching unit.For example, an upper sheet having a text in Hebrew script could beassociated with a first base sheet having a corresponding unvocalizedtext in roman letters, a second base sheet having a transliteratedvocalized text, a third base sheet having a word-for-word Englishtranslation, a fourth base sheet having an English paraphrase orinterpretation and a fifth having the script form. Still another basesheet could have footnote or explanatory material keyed to certain wordsor phrases of the text on the upper sheet, by use of color underlining,letters, or background highlighting as previously described.

To acquire facility in a language, it is also important to complementreading comprehension with written exercises. Typically, a child whenlearning the alphabet, or a foreign language student, will copy the newsymbols several times in a row. In China, for instance, it is commonpractice for children to copy a new symbol five hundred to a thousandtimes to memorize it.

FIG. 11 illustrates an adaptation of the "lift and peek" technique forassisting the learning of alphabet symbols, or of ideographs in the caseof Chinese or Japanese, for example. In this figure, a sheet 75 ismarked with characters 76 to be learned. Lightly adhesive flaps 77 arepositioned over selected symbols. The flaps 77 can have any size orshape, but they must be opaque. A flap may be placed partly or fullyalong an edge of the sheet 75 or anywhere on the page where there is acharacter or group of characters to be learned. The flap can be made ofdisposable paper, to be written on once and then discarded, or it can bemade of more durable material, such as glossy card stock, that can beerased and reused many times.

Each flap 77 has adhesive applied only to a marginal strip 78 that maybe delimited from the rest of the flap by a score line 79. The scoreline facilitates lifting up the flap to catch a glimpse of the characteror word covered by the flap. Because the opaque flap is placed over thecharacter, the student cannot merely copy it, nor can the student tracethe character because the tab is fully opaque. If desired, severaldisposable flaps 77 may be superposed, in the manner of a notepad, sothat writing the character can be repeated for additional practice, eachtab being lifted off and discarded after it has been written on. Asshown in FIG. 12, these tabs are equally effective when used to cover aword or words of a written text.

Such flaps which hide a selected portion of the text, or a character,and which provide a surface for writing-in the hidden portion, allowrapid lifting to quickly reveal the symbol or text if the student isunsure of the shape of the character or the proper word sequence orspelling. They are most helpful for a student learning to write eitherindividual characters or complete words. These flaps can be used eitherwith a single sheet of text or with any of the multisheet arrangementsdescribed and illustrated above.

In addition to the above embodiments, most of which are bound along thetop edge of a sheet in which the text runs horizontally from left toright, it has been found that binding along the right side edges of suchsheets is advantageous in many cases because the beginning of each lineis exposed first when the top sheet is lifted. FIGS. 13 and 14illustrate an arrangement of a top sheet 81 marked with text running inhorizontal lines from left to right and a base sheet 82 marked inregistry with a corresponding text in another language. The two sheetsare bound on their right edges by a clip 83, allowing the left edge ofthe top sheet to be scrolled to the right to reveal the text on the basesheet, as shown in FIG. 14.

The foregoing embodiments are illustrative examples of the invention togive an indication of its scope and utility. It will be apparent tothose of skill in the art that many other arrangements are possiblewithout departing from the basic requirement of having an upper sheetmarked with indicia in a predetermined format and at least one basesheet marked in registry with translating indicia, with one edge of onesheet being joined to a corresponding edge of the other sheet to permitlifting the upper sheet to view the text on the base sheet.

I claim:
 1. A method for aiding a student to learn symbolic indicia, themethod comprising:providing a first opaque sheet legibly marked withsymbolic indicia in a predetermined format; providing a second opaquesheet marked with other symbolic indicia representing a translation ofcorresponding indicia on the first sheet, the other indicia on thesecond sheet being more familiar to the student than the indicia on thefirst sheet, and the indicia marked on the second sheet being insubstantial registry with the corresponding indicia marked on the firstsheet; joining corresponding edge portions of the two sheets together,one on top of the other to form an upper sheet and a base sheetcontiguous to the upper sheet, such that the materials on the uppersheet are substantially in registry with the materials on the base sheetand so that the upper sheet can be lifted to expose momentarily all ofthe materials on the base sheet and then be lowered, so that reading ofthe upper sheet text can be immediately resumed; lifting the upper sheetrapidly while focusing on specific indicia thereon to briefly expose thecorresponding indicia on the base sheet, such that the correspondingindicia on the base sheet are selectively viewed without changing thelocation of focus; and immediately lowering the upper sheet to resumestudy thereof.
 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the first sheetcontaining the indicia to be learned is the upper sheet and the secondsheet containing the familiar indicia is the base sheet.
 3. A methodaccording to claim 1 wherein the first sheet containing the indicia tobe learned is the base sheet and the second sheet containing thefamiliar indicia is the upper sheet.
 4. A method according to claim 1wherein the indicia on the first sheet represent at least one characterin an unfamiliar language being taught to the student, and the indiciaon the second sheet represent a translation of the at least onecharacter of the unfamiliar language into a language familiar to thestudent.
 5. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of liftingthe upper sheet rapidly comprises lifting and lowering an edge of theupper sheet opposite to the edge joined to the base sheet rapidly toexpose alternately corresponding indicia on the base sheet and the uppersheet such that persistence of vision tends to merge the correspondingindicia on the first and second sheets.
 6. A method according to claim 1wherein the step of lifting the upper sheet comprises:curling saidopposite edge of the upper sheet upward and toward said joined edge; andtranslating the curled opposite edge of the upper sheet parallel toitself and to the plane of the base sheet to scroll the upper sheettoward the joined edge portion to reveal the text on the base sheet. 7.A method according to claim 6 wherein the step of translating the curledopposite edge of the upper sheet comprises rapidly reciprocating saidcurled opposite edge parallel to itself and to the plane of the basesheet while reading at least a portion of the indicia on the upper sheetto alternately expose the corresponding portion of the indicia on thebase sheet such that persistance of vision tends to merge the twoportions of corresponding indicia.
 8. A teaching aid for reinforcing astudent's ability to learn symbolic indicia, the teaching aidcomprising:a flexible opaque upper sheet (12) having legible symbolicindicia marked thereon in a predetermiend format; at least one opaquebase sheet (11) disposed under and in contact with the upper sheet andhaving other indicia marked thereon, the other indicia representing atranslation of the indicia marked on the upper sheet and being insubstantial registry with the corresponding indicia on the upper sheet;means (22) for joining an edge portion of the upper sheet to acorresponding edge portion of the base sheet so that the indicia on theupper sheet are superposed substantially congruently above the indiciaon the base sheet but no part of the base sheet is visible through theupper sheet; and means (23) to facilitate lifting and lowering an edgeportion of the upper sheet spaced from the joined edge portion quicklyup and down to briefly expose the base sheet, wherein the symbolicindicia on the upper sheet constitute a running text of words in alanguage unfamiliar to the student, and the other indicia on the basesheet constitute a translation of said running text in a languagefamiliar to the student, the words of the translation on the base sheetbeing in as close registry as possible with the words of the text on theupper sheet within the constraints of differences in syntax, grammer,direction of reading, and length between the text marked on the uppersheet and the text marked on the base sheet.
 9. A teaching aid accordingto claim 8, the teaching aid further comprising:a plurality of pairs ofupper sheets and base sheets arranged in superposed sequence and boundin book form, and the running text continues from one upper sheet to thenext.
 10. A teaching aid for reinforcing a student's ability to learnsymbolic indicia, the teaching aid comprising:a flexible opaque uppersheet (12) having legible symbolic indicia marked thereon in apredetermined format; at least one opaque base sheet (11) disposed underand in contact with the upper sheet and having other indicia markedthereon, the other indicia representing a translation of the indiciamarked on the upper sheet and being in substantial registry with thecorresponding indicia on the upper sheet; means (22) for joining an edgeportion of the upper sheet to a corresponding edge portion of the basesheet so that the indicia on the upper sheet are superposedsubstantially congruently above the indicia on the base sheet but nopart of the base sheet is visible through the upper sheet; and means(23) to facilitate lifting and lowering an edge portion of the uppersheet spaced from the joined edge portion quickly up and down to brieflyexpose the base sheet, wherein said means for joining an edge of theupper sheet to a corresponding edge of the base sheet comprises anelongated channel-shaped plastic binding clamp (22) removably attachedto the corresponding edges (17, 13) of said upper and base sheets.
 11. Ateaching aid for reinforcing a student's ability to learn symbolicindicia, the teaching aid comprising:a flexible opaque upper sheet (12)having legible symbolic indicia marked thereon in a predeterminedformat; at least one opaque base sheet (11) disposed under and incontact with the upper sheet and having other indicia marked thereon,the other indicia representing a translation of the indicia marked onthe upper sheet and being in substantial registry with the correspondingindicia on the upper sheet; means (22) for joining an edge portion ofthe upper sheet to a corresponding edge portion of the base sheet sothat the indicia on the upper sheet are superposed substantiallycongruently above the indicia on the base sheet but no part of the basesheet is visible through the upper sheet; and means (23) to facilitatelifting and lowering an edge portion of the upper sheet spaced from thejoined edge portion quickly up and down to briefly expose the basesheet, wherein said means for joining an edge of the upper sheet to acorresponding edge of the upper base sheet comprises a spiral binding(31) attached to the corresponding edges of said upper and base sheets.12. A teaching aid for reinforcing a student's ability to learn symbolicindicia, the teaching aid comprising:a flexible opaque upper sheet (12)having legible symbolic indicia marked thereon in a predeterminedformat; at least one opaque base sheet (11) disposed under and incontact with the upper sheet and having other indicia marked thereon,the other indicia representing a translation of the indicia marked onthe upper sheet and being in substantial registry with the correspondingindicia on the upper sheet; means (22) for joining an edge portion ofthe upper sheet to a corresponding edge portion of the base sheet sothat the indicia on the upper sheet are superposed substantiallycongruently above the indicia on the base sheet but no part of the basesheet is visible through the upper sheet; and means (23) to facilitatelifting and lowering an edge portion of the upper sheet spaced from thejoined edge portion quickly up and down to briefly expose the basesheet, wherein said means to facilitate lifting the bottom edge of theupper sheet comprises an elongated channel-shaped plastic binding clamp(23) removably attached to the bottom edge of said upper sheet.
 13. Ateaching aid for reinforcing a student's ability to learn symbolicindicia, the teaching aid comprising:a flexible opaque upper sheet (12)having legible symbolic indicia marked thereon in a predeterminedformat; at least one opaque base sheet (11) disposed under and incontact with the upper sheet and having other indicia marked thereon,the other indicia representing a translation of the indicia marked onthe upper sheet and being in substantial registry with the correspondingindicia on the upper sheet; means (22) for joining an edge portion ofthe upper sheet to a corresponding edge portion of the base sheet sothat the indicia on the upper sheet are superposed substantiallycongruently above the indicia on the base sheet but no part of the basesheet is visible through the upper sheet; and means (23) to facilitatelifting and lowering an edge portion of the upper sheet spaced from thejoined edge portion quickly up and down to briefly expose the basesheet, wherein said means to facilitate lifting the bottom edge of thetop sheet comprises means (23) extending outwardly from each side edgeof the upper sheet at the bottom edge thereof.
 14. A teaching aid forreinforcing a student's ability to learn symbolic indicia, the teachingaid comprising:a flexible opaque upper sheet (12) having legiblesymbolic indicia marked thereon in a predetermined format; at least oneopaque base sheet (11) disposed under and in contact with the uppersheet and having other indicia marked thereon, the other indiciarepresenting a translation of the indicia marked on the upper sheet andbeing in substantial registry with the corresponding indicia on theupper sheet; means (22) for joining an edge portion of the upper sheetto a corresponding edge portion of the base sheet so that the indicia onthe upper sheet are superposed substantially congruently above theindicia on the base sheet but no part of the base sheet is visiblethrough the upper sheet; and means (23) to facilitate lifting andlowering an edge portion of the upper sheet spaced from the joined edgeportion quickly up and down to briefly expose the base sheet, whereinsaid means to facilitate lifting the bottom edge of the upper sheetcomprises a stiff rod-like member (23) attached along the bottom edge ofthe top sheet and having opposite ends extending outwardly beyond therespective side edges of the upper sheet.
 15. A teaching aid forreinforcing a student's ability to learn symbolic indicia, the teachingaid comprising:a flexible opaque upper sheet (12) having legiblesymbolic indicia marked thereon in a predetermined format; at least oneopaque base sheet (11) disposed under and in contact with the uppersheet and having other indicia marked thereon, the other indiciarepresenting a translation of the indicia marked on the upper sheet andbeing in substantial registry with the corresponding indicia on theupper sheet; means (22) for joining an edge portion of the upper sheetto a corresponding edge portion of the base sheet so that the indicia onthe upper sheet are superposed substantially congruently above theindicia on the base sheet but no part of the base sheet is visiblethrough the upper sheet; and means (23) to facilitate lifting andlowering an edge portion of the upper sheet spaced from the joined edgeportion quickly up and down to briefly expose the base sheet, whereinboth the base sheet and the upper sheet have additional markings, theadditional markings (21) on the upper sheet being identical to and inregistry with the additional markings (21) on the base sheet for aidingorientation of the student's eye with respect to corresponding indiciaon the base and upper sheet.
 16. A teaching aid according to claim 15wherein said additional markings comprise pictorial illustrations (21).17. A teaching aid for reinforcing a student's ability to learn symbolicindicia, the teaching aid comprising:a flexible opaque upper sheet (12)having legible symbolic indicia marked thereon in a predeterminedformat; at least one opaque base sheet (11) disposed under and incontact with the upper sheet and having other indicia marked thereon,the other indicia representing a translation of the indicia marked onthe upper sheet and being in substantial registry with the correspondingindicia on the upper sheet; means (22) for joining an edge portion ofthe upper sheet to a corresponding edge portion of the base sheet sothat the indicia on the upper sheet are superposed substantiallycongruently above the indicia on the base sheet but no part of the basesheet is visible through the upper sheet; and means (23) to facilitatelifting and lowering an edge portion of the upper sheet spaced from thejoined edge portion quickly up and down to briefly expose the basesheet, the teaching aid further comprising:a plurality of pairs of uppersheets and base sheets arranged in superposed sequence; and means forjoining a second edge portion of one base sheet to corresponding secondedge portions of the other base sheets of the plurality of pairs ofupper sheets and base sheets, the second edge portion of each base sheetbeing adjacent to the edge portion joined to the respective upper sheetof said pair.
 18. A teaching aid for reinforcing a student's ability tolearn symbolic indicia, the teaching aid comprising:a flexible opaqueupper sheet (12) having legible symbolic indicia marked thereon in apredetermined format; at least one opaque base sheet (11) disposed underand in contact with the upper sheet and having other indicia markedthereon, the other indicia representing a translation of the indiciamarked on the upper sheet and being in substantial registry with thecorresponding indicia on the upper sheet; means (22) for joining an edgeportion of the upper sheet to a corresponding edge portion of the basesheet so that the indicia on the upper sheet are superposedsubstantially congruently above the indicia on the base sheet but nopart of the base sheet is visible through the upper sheet; and means(23) to facilitate lifting and lowering an edge portion of the uppersheet spaced from the joined edge portion quickly up and down to brieflyexpose the base sheet, wherein the at least one base sheet comprises: aplurality of superposed base sheets (68), each base sheet having markedthereon indicia representing a translation of the indicia marked on theupper sheet and in substantially exact registry with the correspondingindicia on the uppermost sheet, and the translation on each base sheetbeing different from the translation marked on each other base sheet;and means (73) to facilitate lifting an edge portion spaced from thejoined portion of each base sheet above the lowermost base sheet quicklyup from the base sheet directly therebelow to reveal the indicia markedon the directly below base sheet.
 19. A teaching aid for reinforcing astudent's ability to learn symbolic indicia, the teaching aidcomprising:a flexible opaque upper sheet (12) having legible symbolicindicia marked thereon in a predetermined format; at least one opaquebase sheet (11) disposed under and in contact with the upper sheet andhaving other indicia marked thereon, the other indicia representing atranslation of the indicia marked on the upper sheet and being insubstantial registry with the corresponding indicia on the upper sheet;means (22) for joining an edge portion of the upper sheet to acorresponding edge portion of the base sheet so that the indicia on theupper sheet are superposed substantially congruently above the indiciaon the base sheet but no part of the base sheet is visible through theupper sheet; and means (23) to facilitate lifting and lowering an edgeportion of the upper sheet spaced from the joined edge portion quicklyup and down to briefly expose the base sheet, wherein the upper sheetand the at least one base sheet are rectangular, each sheet having a topedge, right and left side edges, and a bottom edge, and wherein theupper and base sheets are attached along the top edge of each sheet. 20.A teaching aid for reinforcing a student's ability to learn symbolicindicia, the teaching aid comprising:a flexible opaque upper sheet (12)having legible symbolic indicia marked thereon in a predeterminedformat; at least one opaque base sheet (11) disposed under and incontact with the upper sheet and having other indicia marked thereon,the other indicia representing a translation of the indicia marked onthe upper sheet and being in substantial registry with the correspondingindicia on the upper sheet; means (22) for joining an edge portion ofthe upper sheet to a corresponding edge portion of the base sheet sothat the indicia on the upper sheet are superposed substantiallycongruently above the indicia on the base sheet but no part of the basesheet is visible through the upper sheet; and means (23) to facilitatelifting and lowering an edge portion of the upper sheet spaced from thejoined edge portion quickly up and down to briefly expose the basesheet, wherein the symbolic indicia on the upper sheet comprise multiplegroups of indicia represented words of a language and whereincorresponding groups of indicia on the upper and base sheets are colorcoded.
 21. A teaching aid according to claim 20 wherein the color codingcomprises printing a group of indicia on the upper sheet in the samecolor as the corresponding group of indicia on each other sheet, but ina different color from any color used to print groups of indiciaadjacent to the first mentioned group.
 22. A teaching aid according toclaim 20 wherein the color coding comprises underlining a group ofindicia on the upper sheet with the same color as the correspondinggroup of indicia on each other sheet, but with a different color fromany color used to underline groups of indicia adjacent to said firstmentioned group.
 23. A teaching aid according to claim 22 wherein saidmeans for lifting the edge of any base sheet above the lowermost basesheet comprises a plastic tab (73) attached to each base sheet above thelowest one.
 24. A teaching aid according to claim 23 wherein eachplastic tab is marked with symbolic indicia which identify the type oftranslation which is marked on the sheet below the sheet to which thetab is attached.
 25. A teaching aid for reinforcing a student's abilityto learn symbolic indicia, the teaching aid comprising:a flexible opaqueupper sheet (12) having legible symbolic indicia marked thereon in apredetermined format; at least one opaque base sheet (11) disposed underand in contact with the upper sheet and having other indicia markedthereon, the other indicia representing a translation of the indiciamarked on the upper sheet and being in substantial registry with thecorresponding indicia on the upper sheet; means (22) for joining an edgeportion of the upper sheet to a corresponding edge portion of the basesheet so that the indicia on the upper sheet are superposedsubstantially congruently above the indicia on the base sheet but nopart of the base sheet is visible through the upper sheet; and means(23) to facilitate lifting and lowering an edge portion of the uppersheet spaced from the joined edge portion quickly up and down to brieflyexpose the base sheet, wherein the symbolic indicia on the upper sheetcomprise multiple groups of indicia representing words of a language andwherein the multiple groups of indicia represent a plurality ofdifferent figures of speech, and the at least one base sheet comprises aplurality of base sheets, one base sheet having all examples of a firstfigure of speech color coded with a first color and at least anotherbase sheet having all examples of a different figure of speech colorcoded with a different color.
 26. A teaching aid according to claim 25wherein the color coding comprises underlining the corresponding groupsof indicia with a respective color.
 27. A teaching aid for reinforcing astudent's ability to learn symbolic indicia, the teaching aidcomprising:a flexible opaque upper sheet (12) having legible symbolicindicia marked thereon in a predetermined format; at least one opaquebase sheet (11) disposed under and in contact with the upper sheet andhaving other indicia marked thereon, the other indicia representing atranslation of the indicia marked on the upper sheet and being insubstantial registry with the corresponding indicia on the upper sheet;means (22) for joining an edge portion of the upper sheet to acorresponding edge portion of the base sheet so that the indicia on theupper sheet are superposed substantially congruently above the indiciaon the base sheet but no part of the base sheet is visible through theupper sheet; and means (23) to facilitate lifting and lowering an edgeportion of the upper sheet spaced from the joined edge portion quicklyup and down to briefly expose the base sheet, wherein the indicia on theupper sheet comprise a text in an unfamiliar language being taught tothe student and the base sheet contains a phonetic transliteration ofthe text of the unfamiliar language.
 28. A teaching aid for reinforcinga student's ability to learn symbolic indicia, the teaching aidcomprising:a flexible opaque upper sheet (12) having legible symbolicindicia marked thereon in a predetermined format; at least one opaquebase sheet (11) disposed under and in contact with the upper sheet andhaving other indicia marked thereon, the other indicia representing atranslation of the indicia marked on the upper sheet and being insubstantial registry with the corresponding indicia on the upper sheet;means (22) for joining an edge portion of the upper sheet to acorresponding edge portion of the base sheet so that the indicia on theupper sheet are superposed substantially congruently above the indiciaon the base sheet but no part of the base sheet is visible through theupper sheet; and means (23) to facilitate lifting and lowering an edgeportion of the upper sheet spaced from the joined edge portion quicklyup and down to briefly expose the base sheet, wherein the symbolicindicia on the upper sheet comprise multiple groups of indiciarepresenting words of a language, and the teaching aid furthercomprising a blank sheet no larger than the area marked with symbolicindicia and means for attaching an edge of said blank sheet to an edgeof one of said upper sheet and said at least one base sheet forproviding space for written exercises.
 29. A teaching aid forreinforcing a student's ability to learn symbolic indicia, the teachingaid comprising:a flexible opaque upper sheet (12) having legiblesymbolic indicia marked thereon in a predetermined format; at least oneopaque base sheet (11) disposed under and in contact with the uppersheet and having other indicia marked thereon, the other indiciarepresenting a translation of the indicia marked ont he upper sheet andbeing in substantial registry with the corresponding indicia on theupper sheet; means (22) for joining as edge portion of the upper sheetto a corresponding edge portion of the base sheet so that the indicia onthe upper sheet are superposed substantially congruently above theindicia on the base sheet but no part of the base sheet is visiblethrough the upper sheet; and means (23) to facilitate lifting andlowering an edge portion of the upper sheet spaced from the joined edgeportion quickly up and down to briefly expose the base sheet, theteaching aid further comprising a fully opaque flap (77) having a sizejust sufficient to cover a preselected portion of the multiple groups ofindicia and means for removably attaching said flap to one of said upperand said at least one base sheet so as to cover said preselected portionof the multiple groups of indicia to provide space for writtenexercises.
 30. A teaching aid according to claim 29 wherein said meansfor removably attaching said flap comprises an adhesive material.
 31. Ateaching aid according to claim 29 wherein the exposed surface of saidflap comprises a material from which hand-written entries can be erased,so that the flap can be reused.